I’m boarding SAS airlines to Norway shortly and for this 16-day trip to Norway and Denmark, I’ve achieved my first goal – packing light with carryon only a la Rick Steves. I fit everything into an Away “bigger carryon” suitcase, a large Baggallini computer bag with expansion zippers and a small Baggallini crossbody/fanny pack.
After hearing Steves describe his approach earlier this year and reading his newsletter tips on travel packing, I used the “Packing List for Women” on his website as a checklist, then customized it for my trip. Over the past 30 years I’ve traveled well over a million miles, yet never had the packing discipline to travel to Europe with less than two suitcases. Such a situation makes it next to impossible to climb steps in airports and train stations where escalators, elevators and jetways don’t exist, so this new venture took considerable planning and discipline. Fortunately I don’t expect to need super-heavy clothing and will dress relatively casually, but for my own tastes – and that of Scandinavians – “smart casual” is preferred, and I want at least one option for a dressier dinner or event.
Following the Steves’ formula, shopping, planning and packing light with carryon only turned out to be easier than I had feared. It’s ironic because I keep thinking I left something at home – and that’s mainly because I am not schlepping so much with great discomfort. (I will confess, the suitcase is a bit heavier than I’d like but so far, I’m pleasantly surprised how other travelers and flight attendants are willing to help.)
After studying a variety of travel experts’ recommendations, and assessing packing errors on previous trips, it’s clear to me that – unless you need ball gowns or specialized gear for skiing and such – 5 outfits are sufficient for 2.5 weeks. The real trick is to have fabrics that are washable, can hang dry and don’t need ironing; articles that mix and match and can be layered (for warmth and cooling); the right shoes; and the right attitude (i.e., it’s ok to repeat an outfit).
(And, as an addendum to this article, midway through my trip, I had no regrets about these decisions.)
I differed with Steves’ list in a few ways:
- I packed 5 pairs of pants, not two.
- I brought 3 pairs of shoes, not two – OnCloud sneakers, Teva waterproof sandals and a tried-and-true slip-on shoe from Taos that provides an option for rain and an alternative for sneakers, which get boring. For dressier situations, the Teva sandals will have to do! I shopped very intentionally and tested my shoes in advance.
- I don’t wear shorts (tacky), jeans (too heavy and bulky for carryon efficiency) nor sweats (sorry, marketers, they’re both tacky and heavy).
- I succumbed to the “Foldie” promotion on Facebook and added a “Foldie” bag for purchases – a much better option than the suitcase I had to buy in Istanbul last year to bring my gifts and purchases home and, frankly, a much more versatile choice than the pricey Longchamps bags I’ve collected.
Because there is a limit to how much I can lift, I was more intentional than anything about the weight of the fabrics, settling primarily on sturdy synthetics in stylish sportswear from REI and Athleta and seasonal layering pieces from Eileen Fisher.
Since I know temps are going to be in the 50s-70s Fahrenheit, give or take, I packed two short and two longsleeve tees, one white and one black in each style, with the shortsleeve versions in cotton or synthetic and the longsleeves in lightweight but protective marino wool. For unexpected cooler temps, I added one pair of light weight leggings (which can double as sleepwear) and one pair of tights, which can be layered with a skirt or pants.
I refrained from tucking in a favorite sweater, included only one good but not irreplaceable set of jewelry and selected 2 pashmina/scarf combinations to add color or layers to black or neutral basics and perk up the tone for special events. In summer in Norway, a light rain parka that can be folded pocket-size is also essential.
Rolled and packed in cubes, my outfits are nicely tucked into one-half of my Away luggage and my shoes, toiletries, medicines and other accessories into the other half. The computer bag is a bit fat, with books, an unbreakable host-hostess gift, cosmetics, three pairs of glasses (I have no choice on that) and technology – small laptop and charging accessories, including a universal European-plug adapter. I’d love to have slippers and a nice robe but I pitched them at the last minute for other necessities.
To achieve my commitment to pack light with carryon only, probably my two most important decisions, besides shoe choices, is my medium-weight Patagonia vest and medium-weight JCrew puffer jacket; both work in an amazingly wide range of temperatures, are compact enough to be stuffed inside either bag and when it’s rainier or colder than I anticipated, can be layered with each other.
Happy packing!
